Pierced steel planking (PSP) was used by Flygvapnet in the early days of the Cold War to improve airfield surfaces. Jet aircraft were often heavier than piston-engined types and required taxiways and parking surfaces that could withstand higher loads. Here a J 34 Hunter is manoeuvred on to PSP on soft ground during an exercise

Temporary airbases on ice-covered lakes and bays were tested and used during Flygvapnet Cold War exercises. Here, a Saab J 29 Tunnan fighter from Wing F16 at Uppsala taxies past the reed grass beside the frozen Lake Tamnaren, some 40km (25 miles) north of its home base

A J 29 Tunnan taxies in for refuelling and re-arming at a typical camouflaged open shelter. Positioned near the end of the runway at fighter bases, these provided protection from the elements and concealed the aircraft from overhead reconnaissance. This angle gives a good idea of why the J 29 was nicknamed “The Flying Barrel”.

Sweden’s first true multi-role combat aircraft, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen entered Flygvapnet service in 1996. Serial 39120, one of the first production batch of JAS 39As, is seen here operating from a narrow runway, possibly a kortbana (road airstrip) or one of the ‘‘Bas 90” short strips

Flygvapnet took delivery of its first batch of Saab J 35A Drakens in the spring of 1960. Designed and built in Sweden as a fast, agile bomber-interceptor, the distinctive double-delta Draken was developed into J 35B, D, F and J variants. The type was designed for operations in the nation’s typically harsh weather environment, and all Draken units trained in northern Sweden during the winter, often at falt 32 Heden, near Boden, as seen here.

A pair of Drakens taxy out for a sortie from the highway airstrip at Heby, west of Uppsala, used for regular training exercises, although Flygvapnet’s other highway-based airstrips were not used in peacetime. The square markings visible on the fin were applied for exercise identification purposes.

A dramatic photograph of a J 35 Draken touching down on a highway airstrip. The highway strips were narrow, and required a high level of skill from Flygvapnet pilots to land in the space available. The Draken’s distinctive double-delta plan form and double-tailwheel are seen here to good effect.

Another indigenous type used by Flygvapnet during the Cold War was the Saab 105 twin-engined trainer and light ground-attack aircraft, designated Sk 60 in Swedish service. Here, an Sk 60C reconnaissance and light ground-attack variant with an extended photographic nose is seen being prepared for a sortie from falt 32 Heden.

A Viggen in a typical turnaround pad along a public road in the vicinity of a war airbase. The pad (possibly newly built) is clearly discernible here, but its surface would normally be painted in splinter camouflage similar to that applied to the aircraft, and a camouflage net supported by poles would provide additional concealment.

Looking every inch the ultimate Cold War combat aircraft, Saab AJ 37 Viggen serial 37034 of Wing F7 based at Satenas taxies from dispersal area to runway. The Viggen entered Flygvapnet service in 1973. Originally developed as primarily a ground-attacker, the type also had interceptor and reconnaissance variants.

The ground-attack Saab A 32A Lansen, an example of which is seen here taking off from a war airbase, entered Flygvapnet service in the spring of 1956. The Lansen was also developed into a reconnaissance variant, the S 32C, and an all-weather interceptor and nightfighter, the J 32B. The type ultimately served for four decades.